to notice the sharp chill that stung her cheeks. She moved with mechanical precision, her feet taking her down the well worn path toward the

ed, questions and half formed regrets tangling into knots. How could Killian do this to her? Why hadn't he com

The thought struck her with

topped, her shoulders tensing involuntarily. She turne

to catch up, breathless. "You

er voice flat and distant. She couldn't bring herself to feel anything-anger, sadness, betrayal-n

e can't just... replace you! You have to fight back, Aveline.

t the absurdity. "Hazel, he's made up his mind. He c

eth. "Some of them s

aze dropping to the ground. "I can't drag the pack

her voice wavering between frustration and

han she expected. But she knew Hazel meant well. She just didn

hind them. Aveline turned just in time to see Beta Jack storming out, his fa

ce low and intense. "I'm not letting

ietly, her voice almost drowned out by the wind rus

ng foul. "This isn't law. This is madness. Mo

in the darkness, and for a moment, she almost wanted to believe him. But t

ithin. Morgana's gaze swept over the scene, her eyes lingering on Aveline with a look that was part triumph a

clearing. He took a step forward, his fists clenche

d tightened on his arm, and she leaned in, whispering somethi

illian said finally, his tone flat an

ed. "And what about the pack? What about Aveline? Don't t

shifting briefly to her. There was something in his eyes-regret, g

ian's gaze, her eyes steady despite the storm raging inside her. "

ctly composed. "It's simple," she said, her voice as smooth as polished glass. "You

, but she didn't flinch. She refus

with disdain. "You think this woman has your best interests

voice laced with a warning. "

"But it's still my duty to protect this pack. And yo

ne feared he might lash out. But Morgana placed a calming

ion, Jack," Killian said, his

't back down. "You're the one wh

rtling them all into silence. She took a deep breath, steadyi

an, but Aveline

said softly.

, he nodded reluctantly. He shot Killian one last glare bef

it tightly. "What are you going to do?" she

e knew was that she couldn't stay-not with the weight of Killian'

d away from the Pack Hall, leaving behind the

und. The moonlight filtered through the dense canopy, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow, but Aveline

retending everything was normal while Morgana paraded as Luna, made her stomach twist. And now

ere, she told hersel

uld be divided between those loyal to her and those who accepted Morgana, and that division would tear them all apar

behind her. She stopped, turning to see Jack emerge from t

he said, his voice thick with emotion.

above a whisper. "It doesn't matter wha

or something-anything-that might suggest she was willing to stay and fight. "He's not thinking

r. "And what would fighting accomplish, Jack? More divi

ck said, almost pleadin

er tone heavy with finality. "Even

t. "You can't just leave without saying anything to them,"

dbye, they'll never let me leave. And if

ointed, cutting through the fog of Aveline'

im? It was a question she hadn't allowed herself to fully consider, not with everything else crashi

r voice barely more than a whisp

rough with frustration. "You're walking away

ith resolve. "I'm walking away because I have to

but no words came. Aveline turned away, not wanting to see the pain and

y gripping her arm. "Aveline, if you leave now, there's no going back,"

d hard, nodd

defeat. He watched her for a long moment, his e

his voice thick with emotion

him, forcing a small, sad smile. It was the best

closing in around her. She didn't look back, didn't allow herself to

ke a mournful song. Aveline forced herself to keep moving, her thoughts focused on what lay ahead-on

being watched, that the shadows held secrets she couldn't see. Her instincts told h

, she told herself

ing as the darkness closed in around her, swallowing t